St Paul Minnesota – George Floyd's death in
Minneapolis while in police custody, and the destruction that
followed during demonstrations throughout the region, cut
especially deep for Saint Paul architect James Garrett Jr, a
fifth-generation black resident of Minnesota's Twin Cities.
The 48-year-old Garrett, whose grandfather was Saint Paul's
first black deputy police chief, said he was committed to
helping rebuild his community, the state's capital city. Civil
disturbances and looting have marred demonstrations in the Twin
Cities since Floyd's death two weeks ago during an encounter
with four Minneapolis police officers.
"The challenge for us is how do we not just replace what was
lost but create a more equitable... resilient" community, said
Garrett, one of the founders of 4RM+ULA, a Saint Paul
architecture firm focused on community development projects.
"That is driving me and that is how I am trying to centre myself within the maelstrom," he said, adding he is "obsessed"
with creating a more just community through architecture. "These
are growing pains as a society that we have to go through to get
to a better place."
A video circulated that showed Floyd dying while an
officer knelt on his neck hit Garrett especially personally. He
used to see the 46-year-old Floyd often and knew him as "Big
Floyd", the doorman at one of his favourite restaurants, Conga
Latin Bistro.
"Seeing what happened to him is a reminder that but for the
grace of God, it could have been me," said Garrett, adding he
knew immediately that unrest could follow Floyd's death.
"I felt the anger," he said. "I was very aware that this
city could burn."
Then vandals set fire to a former auto dealership his firm
is turning into an arts centre. "It went to another level for me
when this building was attacked," said Garrett, standing outside
of the boarded up building.
Thanks to a fire suppression system and flame-retardant
carpeting, the building suffered only cosmetic damage and will
become the home to Springboard For The Arts.
Another of his firm's projects that suffered damage was the
Juxtaposition Arts New Art Center, a youth arts organisation.
"In my wildest dreams, I never thought buildings and
organisations that represent people and community and positive
engagement would be targeted," he said.
Garrett said his "heart aches" especially for formerly
incarcerated men in his community who live at Great River
Landing, a supportive housing project his firm designed.
"Those guys are completely traumatised," he said, noting
that many have personally experienced violent arrests.